Prescriptivism
Prescriptivism is a view about the way people should act and behave based on social attitudes.
We live in a very prescriptivist society, however, before the 1700s spelling words differently was not seen as ‘incorrect’ or ‘wrong’.
Myth of correctness: There is a belief that Standard English is the correct English. However, this is not the case! Standard English is the most prestigious variety of English, but there are a range of alternative versions of English. Many people have confused ‘prestige’ with ‘correctness’.
The development of prescriptivism: 18th Century is characterised by a greater emphasis on standardisation and prescriptivism. Features that were previously prestigious acquired connotations of correctness. This attitude led to a sharp acceleration of the standardisation of English. Many influential writers set themselves up as judges of what was right or not:
Throughout the 18th century, many publications of dictionaries were made which enhanced the prescriptivist attitudes. Many features of language that were condemned in the publications had been regarded as good English for centuries.
1755= Dr Johnson's Dictionary was published
1762= Dr Lowth's 'A short introduction to English Grammar’
-Double negatives could not be used for emphasis
The influence of 18th century grammarians is still felt in modern prescriptive attitudes to the Standard English dialect.
Present day: Today’s society is becoming more relaxed in regards to language styles and many non-standardised forms are creeping into writing. This is largely due to technological change.
We live in a very prescriptivist society, however, before the 1700s spelling words differently was not seen as ‘incorrect’ or ‘wrong’.
Myth of correctness: There is a belief that Standard English is the correct English. However, this is not the case! Standard English is the most prestigious variety of English, but there are a range of alternative versions of English. Many people have confused ‘prestige’ with ‘correctness’.
The development of prescriptivism: 18th Century is characterised by a greater emphasis on standardisation and prescriptivism. Features that were previously prestigious acquired connotations of correctness. This attitude led to a sharp acceleration of the standardisation of English. Many influential writers set themselves up as judges of what was right or not:
Throughout the 18th century, many publications of dictionaries were made which enhanced the prescriptivist attitudes. Many features of language that were condemned in the publications had been regarded as good English for centuries.
1755= Dr Johnson's Dictionary was published
1762= Dr Lowth's 'A short introduction to English Grammar’
-Double negatives could not be used for emphasis
The influence of 18th century grammarians is still felt in modern prescriptive attitudes to the Standard English dialect.
Present day: Today’s society is becoming more relaxed in regards to language styles and many non-standardised forms are creeping into writing. This is largely due to technological change.
John DrydenPrescriptivist who believed that there should be a standard rule for the capitalisation of nouns.
He advocated the creation of an English Academy to decide on correct usage and to 'fix' the English language. |
Jonathan SwiftPrescriptivst who thought that the English spelling system needed rules. He condemned shortening word forms and argued for the 'purification of the English Language'.
Mobile -> Mob Fanatic -> Fan |
Both Swift and Dryden were writers. Many influential writers set themselves up as judges of what was correct or not correct, and prescribed on matters of grammar, spelling and acceptable new words.